As health care is one of the topics that will be addressed at the first presidential debate on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the University of Denver, Daniel Ceccoli, Lynn University healthcare policy expert and assistant professor of scientific literacy and pre-medical studies, gives his opinion on why Medicare and Social Security are important.

“Voters have an investment in their future health and well-being, and like any investment, they should know what they are investing in,” said Ceccoli.

It has been calculated that senior citizens with no source of income other than retirement resources will find it difficult, if not impossible, to purchase health insurance and cover their medical expenses on a limited income. With an older population more prone to disease and injury, the need to have a plan in place to provide medical care is necessary, otherwise the risk of no treatment or personal bankruptcy in some cases become the only options available.

Social Security provides more than half of the total income for almost 2/3 of households comprised exclusively of those aged 65 and older, and at least 90 percent of income for 1/3 of those 65 and older. Social Security is estimated to keep roughly 40 percent of all Americans age 65 or older out of poverty. It has radically reduced poverty in old age, and protects the middle class against inflation and the up and downs of the stock market.

Issues related to Social Security will become more important as America's population continues to age, lead by the aging Baby Boomer generation.

“The views put forth by each candidate will affect large constituents in the electorate. Therefore, I’m fairly certain that what those constituents hear and how much confidence they have in those answers will determine who the next president will be,” said Ceccoli.

Ceccoli believes tomorrow’s Oct. 3 debate will include a serious presentation and discourse by each candidate about these issues.

Brief bio: Ceccoli is an M.D. who has worked in the field of medicine for more than 25 years from practice to research to education. He brings an expertise in health care from an insider’s point of view on how the American medical industry can best serve future generations of Americans.